| Evaluating
a Design Solution.
by Peter DiBart
Traditionally,
the "design" of a given offering has too
often been considered to be the "look and feel".
More recently, the emphasis has been shifting to a
more objective evaluation of visual design in satisfying
the needs of the user to accomplish their tasks.
The interactive space is a challenging
combination of esthetic appeal and function. As
a result every aspect of the interactive solution
must strive for harmony between the users' operational
and styling expectations.
| Users should
feel confident in exploring, knowing they can
try navigation, see the result, and go back
if necessary. |
Evaluating work and determining
the "rightness" of a given design solution
can be a challenge for internal teams as well as
clients. Too often designers are saddled with "I
like it" or "I don't like it" in
response to questions of design. These subjective
answers are not at all actionable in moving a design
forward and worse still, don't account for the user
as the principal subject of the endeavor.
The following is a collection of
guidelines that can serve as the basis for initiating
UI design and evaluating their success. These criteria
serve as a baseline of good interactive design independent
of the specific business goals and the user needs.
Simple is better - Don't compromise usability
for styling
By keeping the interface simple and straightforward,
users benefit from functionality that is easily
accessible and usable. A poorly organized interface
distracts users from accomplishing their tasks.
A well-organized interface fades into the background
and creates efficiently. The basic navigational
functions should be immediately apparent and based
on user task analysis.
Build in familiarity - A
users' prior knowledge goes a long way
Users should not have to learn new things to accomplish
familiar tasks such as searching. Using visual and
interaction techniques that users already understand
creates familiarity and a sense of control.
Make it obvious- Navigation
should be visible and intuitive
Visibility and intuitiveness are not restrictions
but criteria. The challenge is
Encourage users- Exploration
should be encouraged & predictable
Users should feel confident in exploring, knowing
they can try navigation, seeing the result, and
going back if necessary. A user's actions should
have the results the user expects. Safe navigation
encourages exploration of the site.
Design for satisfaction
- Create a feeling of progress and achievement
Allow the user to enjoy a sense of accomplishment
when they interact with the offering. Reflect the
results of interaction clearly and immediately.
User Interface should be updated immediately or
refreshed as soon as possible. Long transitions
distract from the task at hand.
Navigation Availability
- Make UI elements available at all times
A User should be able to use User Interface elements
in any sequence and at any time during their session.
Be Versatile - Support alternate
interaction techniques
Supporting alternate methods of interaction (i.e.
keystrokes & mouse clicks or graphic interface
elements & text interface elements) creates
flexibility. In this way we are able to accommodate
a wider range of physical abilities, interactions,
and user environments. Remember that no single method
is best for every situation.
Support customization &
personalization - Allow users to customize
The interface should be tailor itself to the individual
user needs and desires. No two users are exactly
alike. Customization can help establish user ownership
of a given offering. It becomes "their site"
rather than "your site" in which they
are a visitor. At a minimum, offerings should remember
a unique user upon return.
Visual affinity- Organize
interface elements within natural associations
Interface elements should communicate their function
without ambiguities. Relationships of elements in
the User Interface must enhance the functional utility
and organization of the offering.
Create visual hierarchy
Important UI elements should be given extra visual
prominence. Just as important, not all elements
can scream for attention. By understanding the hierarchy
of user tasks and business needs, you can establish
a visual hierarchy for interface elements.
Promote affordance within content
Users should be able to easily determine the action
that should be taken with any given interface element.
Objects with good affordance direct the user to
take an action whose results are desirable, expected,
and predictable.
Support a consistant visual
scheme
Design each offering within a consistent visual
scheme that relates the user mental model. 
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